Saint Matthew: From Tax Collector to Apostle and Evangelist

The Church celebrates the feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, on September 21. Sacred Space reflects on Matthew’s life, calling and lasting contribution to the Christian faith. Matthew, also known as Levi in the Gospels of Mark and Luke, worked as a tax collector. Because tax collectors worked for the Roman authorities and were often viewed negatively by their fellow Jews, Matthew’s decision to leave his profession and follow Jesus marked a significant change in his life. According to the Gospel accounts, Jesus called Matthew to become his disciple. Matthew responded by leaving his work and following Christ, eventually becoming one of the Twelve Apostles. Matthew is mentioned several times in the New Testament, particularly in the lists of the Apostles. The identification of Matthew with Levi is traditionally accepted, although scholars have also discussed whether the two names necessarily refer to the same person. Christian tradition has long associated Matthew with the authorship of the Gospel according to Matthew. Early Christian writers such as Irenaeus and Papias linked him with the Gospel. The Gospel is particularly attentive to Jewish traditions and contains extensive teaching of Jesus, which contributed to its use in Christian catechetical formation. Matthew's Gospel is traditionally understood to have been written toward the end of the first century. While early traditions suggested an Aramaic or Hebrew original, the surviving Gospel is written in Greek. In Christian art, Matthew is represented by the symbol of a man or angel, reflecting the human genealogy of Jesus presented at the beginning of his Gospel. Artistic representations may also show him writing his Gospel, carrying a money bag referring to his former profession, or holding a weapon associated with martyrdom. Various traditions describe Matthew’s missionary activity after the resurrection of Jesus. One tradition connects his preaching with Ethiopia, while other ancient sources place his death in Persia or other locations. Because the historical details surrounding his final years are uncertain, these traditions are preserved as part of the Church’s longstanding accounts of the Apostle. According to one tradition, Matthew was martyred on September 21, which became associated with his feast day. His supposed relics were later transferred to Salerno, Italy, where a church was dedicated to him. Saint Matthew’s story continues to be remembered as an example of conversion and discipleship. His movement from tax collector to Apostle and Evangelist highlights the Christian belief that a person can respond to Christ’s call and take on a new mission of faith and service.